Classical Guitar

[ambi]

Can anyone recomend a good brand of Classical guitars, also some Brands to avoid?

I'm in Canada, by the way. I was talking to a girl at my local Long and Mcquade store and she said that they might be getting in a really nice used classical guitar that sounded awesome, and it was going to go for about 700 Canadian, IF they got it.

Otherwise i guess i'd get a new one?

I don't know the brand on the used one yet, but i'd like to know some good brands/bad brands just incase!

Price range is around 700 Canadian max.

[tdukex]

Check out La Patrie, made by LaSido in Canada. This is the same company that makes Godin electrics and Seagull acoustics. I've played a couple of La Patries and they are very nice for the money.

Here are the models, in U.S. dollars (street price):

Etude: Solid cedar top, laminate mahogany back and sides, satin finish ($240)
Concert: Solid cedar " , laminate mahogany back and sides, high gloss (275)
Presentation: Solid cedar " , laminate rosewood " ", ($335)
Collection: solid cedar " , solid rosewood " ", ($440)

They aren't listed on the website yet, but if you go to http://www.acousticguitar.com/index.shtml and do a search in the classical and classical archive forums you will find more info on La Patrie and other classical guitars.

[philboyd studge]

Used Guild Mark II's and higher and Yairi's can be nice also.

[dobro]

I bought a Spanish-made classical a few years ago when I was in Alberta. Nice guitar. After it had been in Singapore a year or so, the neck starting warping slightly and the sound started changing. Not unpleasant, but less bite and high end. Now the neck's warped enough to make it a real chore playing barre chords or anything higher up the neck. You know, Alberta's got a climate like Spain, so the guitar liked it there, but humid Singapore has been really hard on it. The lesson? Well, you're in BC, so check out guitars made in BC-type climates. That way, the guitar will like its BC home.

[Aaron Cheney]

I would second the LaSido suggestion, but it really depends on what you are after. There can be huge differences between "classical" guitars and other "nylon string" guitars. It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
Traditional "classical" guitars typically have enormous necks and high action, while many newer "nylon string" guitars are smaller and more like a contemporary guitar.
I prefer the latter. I own a Yamaha APX10NA which I really love.

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

[LI_Slim]

Seagull also makes (or at least they used to a couple years ago) very nice classicals in your price range, with electronics even. Also Takamines are worth considering, especially if you want the electronics.

[Richard Monroe]

Are you talking pure classical, would you consider a Flamenco guitar, or even a cutaway with electrics? What's the music? Purists get upset because Flamenco guitars have fret markers on the neck. I just bought one, actually, and it is the most girly guitar I have ever owned. It is an Epiphone Selena signature with cutaway and electrics (of frankly limited value, IMHO). It is all jet black, with high gloss finish, and of course, the flower and Selena's signature! What the hell, the current project uses some Celtic lap harp, nylon strung, and a steel string dreadnought bulldozes the harp a bit, so we decided to make it an all-nylon fest. I only play nylon strings occasionally, and if you are used to steel strings, I think you'll like the way Flamenco guitars and cutaways are set up. Definitely play Takamine and Yamaha before you buy. If you're a purist, how do you play with the action so frigging high? Just pick up a copy of Acoustic Guitar magazine. Your options are endless. Well, there's one thing about standardizing the dimensions of a guitar- The case usually fits.-Richie

[ambi]

Well richard i really don't know. I'm just learning, i want to take classical lessons from this girl i just met that is studying classical guitar.

I've played my brothers Kort Accoustic steel string guitar, my old piece of shit classical with nylon strings (like, 50 dollars new, garbage), and his fender strat electric. Hmm yea i heard about the high action that might be a bit, but if i'm taking classical lessons maybe it would be a good idea to get a standard one?